JP2018045041A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device that makes it possible to achieve locking of a toner storage container and releasing of the locking thereof at a low cost.SOLUTION: An image formation device 100 comprises: developing devices 7a to 7d; and mountable/detachable toner containers 20a to 20d. In the toner containers 20a to 20d, provided are: a replenishment screw 22 conveying toner by positive rotation; and an engagement lever 24a to be coupled to a rotary shaft 22a of the replenishment screw 22 via a second gear train 25. In a device main body 1, an engagement member 44 is provided that engages with the engagement lever 24a to regulate the mounting and detachment of the toner containers 20a to 20d. A control unit 90 is configured to, when an amount of toner in the toner containers 20a to 20d is equal to or less than a prescribed amount thereof, cause the replenishment screw 22 to reversely rotate, and release the engagement of the engagement lever 24a with the engagement member 44.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus including a detachable toner storage container for storing toner to be replenished to a developing device.

  In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile, a powder developer is mainly used, and an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum is stored in the developing apparatus. In general, the toner is visualized with toner as a developer, and the toner image is transferred onto a recording medium, and then a fixing process is performed.

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, the toner amount in the toner storage container is detected by using a toner sensor, and when the toner in the toner storage container is exhausted, a message prompting replacement of the toner storage container is displayed on the display unit. As a result, the user replaces the toner container.

  However, there are cases where the user mistakenly replaces the toner container or mistakenly removes the toner container even though it is not time to replace the toner container.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 provides an image in which a lock mechanism for locking the toner container to the image forming apparatus main body is provided, and the lock is released and the toner container is detachable when it is time to replace the toner container. A forming apparatus is disclosed. In this image forming apparatus, a solenoid that opens and closes the stopper is provided to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state of the toner container.

JP 2005-91462 A

  However, there is a problem in that the cost of the image forming apparatus increases if a driving source such as a solenoid or a motor is provided to lock and unlock the toner container as in Patent Document 1.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of locking and unlocking a toner container at low cost. That is.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus having a first configuration according to the present invention is detachable from an apparatus main body, a developing device provided in the apparatus main body, and an apparatus main body containing toner to be supplied to the developing device. Toner container, a toner sensor for detecting that the amount of toner in the toner container falls below a predetermined amount, and a control unit for regulating or allowing the toner container to be attached or detached according to the detection result of the toner sensor And comprising. The toner container is provided with a replenishing screw that conveys the toner by rotating in the forward direction and replenishes the toner to the developing device, and a first engaging portion that is connected to the rotation shaft of the replenishing screw via a gear train. The apparatus main body is provided with a second engagement portion that restricts the attachment / detachment of the toner container by engaging with the first engagement portion, and the gear train is rotated when the replenishment screw rotates in the reverse direction. The control unit includes a one-way gear that transmits a rotational force only to the first engagement unit, and the control unit reversely rotates the replenishment screw when the toner amount in the toner storage container becomes a predetermined amount or less. And the engagement with the second engagement portion are released.

  According to the first configuration of the present invention, the second engagement portion that restricts the attachment / detachment of the toner storage container by engaging with the first engagement portion is provided, and the control portion is provided in the toner storage container. When the toner amount becomes a predetermined amount or less, the replenishment screw is rotated in the reverse direction to release the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion. As a result, when the toner amount in the toner container is larger than the predetermined amount, the replenishing screw is not reversely rotated, and the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is maintained. When the amount of toner in the toner container becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the replenishing screw is rotated in the reverse direction and the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is released. As described above, since the engagement state between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion can be switched only by rotating the supply screw in the reverse direction, it is not necessary to separately provide a drive source such as a solenoid or a motor. As a result, the toner container can be locked and unlocked at a low cost.

1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure around a toner container of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention from the first gear side. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure around a toner container of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention from the replenishment motor side. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure around a first gear of a toner container of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which an engagement lever is disposed at an engagement position. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure around a first gear of a toner container of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a diagram illustrating a state where an engagement lever is disposed at a non-engagement position. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a control path of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  An image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 (here, a multi-function peripheral is shown as an example) includes an apparatus main body (image forming apparatus main body) 1 and an image reading unit 2 disposed on the upper portion.

  In the image reading unit 2, a reading unit for reading image information of a document on the contact glass 2a is provided. The reading unit includes a scanning optical system in which a scanner lamp and a mirror are mounted, a condensing lens that condenses the reflected light from the original and forms an image, a CCD sensor that converts the imaged image light into an electrical signal, and the like ( (None of these are shown in the figure). The document image is read and converted into image data.

  An operation panel 50 (see FIG. 7) having a display unit and operation keys is provided on the front surface of the image reading unit 2. A platen (not shown) that presses the document placed on the contact glass 2a is provided on the upper part of the image reading unit 2 so as to be opened and closed.

  Between the image reading unit 2 and the apparatus main body 1, an in-body discharge space 4 is provided that opens greatly toward the left side and the front.

  A plurality (two in this case) of paper feed cassettes 5 for storing paper (sheets) are provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 1. In addition, an opening / closing cover 30 is provided on the upper portion of the front surface of the apparatus main body 1 so as to be opened and closed. On the inside of the apparatus main body with respect to the opening / closing cover 30, four container storage portions respectively storing toner containers (toner storage containers) 20 a to 20 d (see FIG. 2), and an optical sensor for detecting the opening / closing state of the opening / closing cover 30. And an open / close detection sensor 31 made up of and the like. The detailed structure around the toner containers 20a to 20d will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, four image forming portions Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are arranged in the apparatus main body 1 in order from the upstream side (left side in FIG. 1) of the intermediate transfer belt 8 to be described later. ing. These image forming portions Pa to Pd are provided corresponding to images of four different colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), and cyan, magenta, and yellow are respectively performed by charging, exposure, development, and transfer processes. And a black image are sequentially formed.

  In the image forming portions Pa to Pd, photosensitive drums (image carriers) 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d that carry visible images (toner images) of the respective colors are disposed, and further, driving means (not shown). ), An intermediate transfer belt 8 that rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 is provided adjacent to each of the image forming portions Pa to Pd.

  In each of the image forming portions Pa to Pd, there are rotatably arranged photosensitive drums 6a to 6d, chargers for charging the photosensitive drums 6a to 6d, and image information to the photosensitive drums 6a to 6d. The exposure device for exposing the toner, the developing devices 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d for forming toner images on the photosensitive drums 6a to 6d, and the developer (toner) remaining on the photosensitive drums 6a to 6d, respectively. And a cleaning unit to perform.

  When image data is input from a host device such as a personal computer, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the image data are formed on the photosensitive drums 6a to 6d. Each of the developing devices 7a to 7d is filled with a predetermined amount of a two-component developer containing toners of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In addition, when the ratio of the toner in the two-component developer filled in each developing device 7a to 7d is less than a predetermined value due to the formation of a toner image described later, the corresponding developing device 7a from the toner container 20a to 20d. The toner is supplied to ˜7d. The toner in the developer is supplied onto the corresponding photosensitive drums 6a to 6d by the developing devices 7a to 7d, and electrostatically attached thereto, thereby forming a static image formed on the corresponding photosensitive drums 6a to 6d. A toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed.

  Then, cyan, magenta, yellow and black toner images on the photosensitive drums 6 a to 6 d are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  When the intermediate transfer belt 8 starts to rotate counterclockwise as the drive roller 11 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown), the paper in the paper feed cassette 5 is adjacent to the drive roller 11 at a predetermined timing. A full color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred onto a sheet by being conveyed to a nip portion (secondary transfer nip portion) with the provided secondary transfer roller 9. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is heated and pressurized by the fixing unit 13 to fix the toner image on the sheet.

  The sheet on which the full-color image is formed is discharged to a discharge tray 17 provided in the in-body discharge space 4 by a discharge roller pair 15. In FIG. 2, the image reading unit 2 is not shown.

  Next, a detailed structure around the toner container 20a will be described. In the following description, the vicinity of the toner container 20a that supplies toner to the developing device 7a is illustrated, but the configuration around the toner containers 20b to 20d that supplies toner to the developing devices 7b to 7d is also basically the periphery of the toner container 20a. Since this is the same as the configuration of, the description is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner container 20 a includes a container main body 21 that stores toner to be supplied to the developing device 7 a and a supply screw 22 that is rotatably provided on the container main body 21.

  The replenishing screw 22 rotates in the forward direction to convey the toner in the container main body 21 in the axial direction, and replenishes the developing device 7 a with toner through an opening (not shown) of the container main body 21. One end of the rotation shaft 22a of the replenishment screw 22 (the left end in FIG. 4 and the end on the downstream side in the container insertion direction) is connected to the replenishment motor 41 via a first gear train 40 composed of a plurality of gears. When the replenishment motor 41 rotates forward and backward, the replenishment screw 22 rotates forward and reverse.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a first gear 23 is attached to the other end (the right end in FIG. 3, the upstream end of the container insertion direction) of the rotation shaft 22 a of the replenishment screw 22. . The first gear 23 meshes with a second gear 24 that is rotatably provided on an end surface (side surface) of the container body 21. The first gear 23 and the second gear 24 constitute a second gear train (gear train) 25.

  The first gear 23 is a one-way gear that transmits rotational force only in one direction (reverse rotation direction). For this reason, when the replenishment screw 22 rotates forward, the first gear 23 does not rotate and the second gear 24 also does not rotate. On the other hand, when the supply screw 22 rotates in the reverse direction, the first gear 23 rotates and the second gear 24 also rotates.

  An engagement lever (first engagement portion) 24a is formed integrally with the second gear 24 arranged at the most downstream side in the rotational force transmission direction of the second gear train 25. The apparatus main body 1 is provided with an engagement member (second engagement portion) 44 having an engagement groove that can be engaged with the engagement lever 24a. The engagement lever 24a is selectively arranged at an engagement position (the position in FIG. 5) that engages with the engagement member 44 and a non-engagement position (the position in FIG. 6) that does not engage with the engagement member 44. Is done.

  The engagement member 44 is engaged with the engagement lever 24a when the engagement lever 24a is disposed at the engagement position, and restricts the attachment / detachment of the toner container 20a. On the other hand, the engagement member 44 releases the engagement with the engagement lever 24a by disposing the engagement lever 24a in the non-engagement position, and enables the toner container 20a to be attached and detached.

  The engagement member 44 is provided with a position detection sensor 45 that detects the position of the engagement lever 24a. The position detection sensor 45 is a PI sensor including a light emitting unit 45a and a light receiving unit 45b that receives light from the light emitting unit 45a. The light emitting unit 45a and the light receiving unit 45b are disposed to face each other with the engaging groove of the engaging member 44 interposed therebetween. The position detection sensor 45 detects the presence or absence of the engagement lever 24a when the optical path is blocked or released by the engagement lever 24a, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 90 described later. The position detection sensor 45 may be provided at a position other than the engagement member 44.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a control path of the image forming apparatus 100. It should be noted that since various control of each part of the apparatus is performed when the image forming apparatus 100 is used, the control path of the entire image forming apparatus 100 becomes complicated. Therefore, here, the description will focus on the parts necessary for carrying out the present invention, such as detection of the toner amount in the toner containers 20a to 20d and locking and unlocking of the toner containers 20a to 20d.

  The control unit 90 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 91 as a central processing unit, a read only memory (ROM) 92 that is a read-only storage unit, a random access memory (RAM) 93 that is a readable / writable storage unit, A temporary storage unit 94 for storing image data and the like, and a plurality of (two in this case) I / Os that transmit control signals to each device in the image forming apparatus 100 and receive input signals from the operation panel 50. F95 is provided at least.

  The ROM 92 stores a control program for the image forming apparatus 100, numerical values necessary for control, and the like that are not changed during use of the image forming apparatus 100. The RAM 93 stores necessary data generated during the control of the image forming apparatus 100, data temporarily required for controlling the image forming apparatus 100, and the like. The ROM 92 is provided with a message storage table for storing a plurality of messages for each state of the toner containers 20a to 20d.

  In addition, detection signals are input from the toner concentration sensor (toner sensor) 33, the open / close detection sensor 31, and the position detection sensor 45 to the control unit 90.

  The toner density sensor 33 is provided in each of the developing devices 7a to 7d, and a magnetic permeability sensor that detects the magnetic permeability of a two-component developer including a magnetic carrier and toner in the developing devices 7a to 7d is used. Here, the toner density is the ratio (T / C) of the toner to the magnetic carrier in the developer. In this embodiment, the toner density sensor 33 detects the magnetic permeability of the developer, and outputs a voltage value corresponding to the detection result from the toner density sensor 33 to the control unit 90. The controller 90 determines the toner density from the output value of the toner density sensor 33.

  The sensor output value changes according to the toner concentration. The higher the toner concentration, the higher the ratio of toner to the magnetic carrier, and the higher the ratio of toner that does not pass magnetism, the lower the output value. On the other hand, the lower the toner concentration, the lower the ratio of toner to carrier, and the higher the ratio of carrier that passes magnetism, the higher the output value.

  As an example, a combination of the developing device 7a and the toner container 20a will be described. The control unit 90 transmits a control signal to the replenishment motor 41 in accordance with the determined toner density, rotates the replenishment screw 22 in the forward direction, and replenishes the developing device 7a with toner. In addition, when the toner container 20a becomes empty, the control unit 90 reversely rotates the corresponding supply motor 41 to reversely rotate the supply screw 22 to unlock the empty toner container 20a. When the empty toner container 20a is replaced, the replenishment motor 41 is reversely rotated to reversely rotate the replenishment screw 22 to lock the toner container 20a. The same applies to combinations of other developing devices 7b to 7d and corresponding toner containers 20b to 20d.

  The operation panel 50 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit 51, LEDs 52 for indicating various states, and a numeric keypad. The operation panel 50 indicates the state of the image forming apparatus 100, displays the image forming status and the number of copies to be printed. Yes.

  Next, the toner replenishing operation to the toner containers 20a to 20d, and the locking and unlocking operations of the toner containers 20a to 20d will be described. Here, as an example, a combination of the developing device 7a and the toner container 20a will be described. The same applies to combinations of other developing devices 7b to 7d and corresponding toner containers 20b to 20d.

  Based on the detection result from the toner density sensor 33, the control unit 90 rotates the replenishment motor 41 in the forward direction to rotate the replenishment screw 22 in the forward direction and replenishes the developing device 7a with toner. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the toner container 20a is locked, the engagement lever 24a is disposed at the engagement position, and the optical path of the position detection sensor 45 is shielded by the engagement lever 24a.

  When the toner amount (toner concentration) in the developing device 7a is equal to or lower than the threshold value even though the toner is supplied from the toner container 20a to the developing device 7a, the control unit 90 runs out of toner in the toner container 20a ( It is determined that the amount has become less than a predetermined amount. Then, the control unit 90 reversely rotates the corresponding supply motor 41 to unlock only the toner container 20a.

  Specifically, the reverse rotation of the replenishment motor 41 causes the replenishment screw 22 to reversely rotate, the rotational force of the replenishment screw 22 is transmitted to the second gear 24 via the first gear 23, and the engagement lever 24a rotates. . If the optical path of the position detection sensor 45 is not shielded by the engagement lever 24a due to the rotation of the engagement lever 24a (or after the engagement lever 24a is rotated a little after the light is not shielded), the control unit 90 Then, the rotation of the replenishment motor 41 is stopped, and the engagement lever 24a is stopped at the non-engagement position (position in FIG. 6). Thereby, the lock of the toner container 20a is released.

  Thereafter, the control unit 90 displays a message prompting replacement of the toner container 20a on the liquid crystal display unit 51 of the operation panel 50. It should be noted that the timing for displaying the message prompting the replacement of the toner container 20a on the liquid crystal display unit 51 may be before the user starts the replacement operation of the toner container 20a, and is performed in parallel with the unlocking operation of the toner container 20a. May be.

  Then, the toner container 20a is replaced by the user. At this time, the user opens the opening / closing cover 30, removes the empty toner container 20a, attaches a new toner container 20a, and then closes the opening / closing cover 30. Since the toner containers 20b to 20d that are not emptied are not unlocked, the user does not mistakenly replace the toner containers 20b to 20d that are not emptied.

  When the controller 90 detects that the opening / closing cover 30 is opened / closed based on the detection signal from the opening / closing detection sensor 31, the controller 90 rotates the corresponding supply motor 41 and the supply screw 22 in the forward direction to supply toner to the developing device 7a. . Then, when the control unit 90 detects that the toner amount (toner concentration) in the developing device 7a exceeds the threshold based on the detection result from the toner concentration sensor 33, the toner container 20a is normally replaced. to decide. Thereafter, the control unit 90 reversely rotates the corresponding supply motor 41 to lock the toner container 20a.

  Specifically, the reverse rotation of the replenishment motor 41 causes the replenishment screw 22 to reversely rotate, the rotational force of the replenishment screw 22 is transmitted to the second gear 24 via the first gear 23, and the engagement lever 24a rotates. . When the engaging lever 24a rotates and the optical path of the position detection sensor 45 is blocked by the engaging lever 24a (or after the engaging lever 24a is rotated a little after being blocked), the control unit 90 The rotation of the replenishment motor 41 is stopped, and the engagement lever 24a is stopped at the engagement position (position in FIG. 5). As a result, the toner container 20a is locked.

  On the other hand, after detecting that the opening / closing cover 30 is opened / closed, the toner amount (toner concentration) in the developing device 7a is equal to or less than the threshold value even though the corresponding supply motor 41 and supply screw 22 are rotated forward. In this case, the control unit 90 determines that the toner container 20a has not been replaced. In this case, the control unit 90 maintains the unlocked state of the toner container 20a without rotating the corresponding supply motor 41 in the reverse direction. After detecting that the opening / closing cover 30 is opened / closed, the toner amount (toner concentration) in the developing device 7a is equal to or less than the threshold value even though the corresponding replenishing motor 41 and replenishing screw 22 are rotated forward. Examples of the case include a case where there is no new toner container 20a and the user cannot replace the toner container 20a.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 90 rotates the replenishment screw 22 in the reverse direction when the toner amount in the toner containers 20a to 20d becomes a predetermined amount or less, and the engagement lever 24a and the engagement member. The engagement with 44 is released. Thereby, when the toner amount in the toner containers 20a to 20d is larger than the predetermined amount, the replenishing screw 22 is not rotated in the reverse direction, and the engagement between the engagement lever 24a and the engagement member 44 is maintained. When the amount of toner in the toner containers 20a to 20d becomes a predetermined amount or less, the replenishment screw 22 is rotated in the reverse direction, and the engagement between the engagement lever 24a and the engagement member 44 is released. As described above, the engagement state between the engagement lever 24a and the engagement member 44 can be switched only by rotating the supply screw 22 in the reverse direction, so that it is not necessary to separately provide a drive source such as a solenoid or a motor. As a result, the toner containers 20a to 20d can be locked and unlocked at a low cost.

  Further, as described above, the position detection sensor 45 that detects the position of the engagement lever 24a is provided. Thereby, the engagement lever 24a can be easily disposed at the engagement position and the non-engagement position.

  Further, as described above, the position detection sensor 45 is provided on the engaging member 44. Thereby, it can be easily detected whether or not the engagement lever 24a is disposed at the engagement position.

  Further, as described above, the second gear train 25 is divided into the first gear 23 that is a one-way gear, and the second gear 24 that is provided on the side surfaces of the toner containers 20a to 20d with the engagement lever 24a. Configure. Thereby, the 2nd gear train 25 can be constituted easily.

  In addition, as described above, the control unit 90 determines whether the toner amount in the toner containers 20a to 20d is equal to or less than the predetermined amount based on the detection result of the toner density sensor 33 that detects the toner amount in the developing devices 7a to 7d. Judge whether or not. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately provide a toner sensor for detecting the amount of toner in the toner containers 20a to 20d.

  Further, as described above, when a plurality (four in this case) of toner containers 20a to 20d are provided, the user may mistakenly replace the toner containers 20a to 20d that have not reached the replacement time. It is particularly effective to make it impossible to replace the toner containers 20a to 20d that have not yet been replaced by configuring them so that they can be locked and unlocked. Further, in the case where a plurality of toner containers 20a to 20d are provided, it is particularly possible to reduce the cost by applying the present invention that does not require a separate drive source for locking and unlocking the toner containers 20a to 20d. It is effective.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, although an example in which the present invention is applied to a color multifunction peripheral has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the present invention is applied to various image forming apparatuses having a detachable toner storage container for storing toner to be replenished to the developing device, such as a monochrome multifunction peripheral, a color copying machine, a monochrome copying machine, a color printer, a monochrome printer, and a facsimile. The invention can be applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the position detection sensor 45 that detects the position of the engagement lever 24a is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position of the engagement lever 24a may be detected based on the rotation time or the rotation speed (rotation angle) of the replenishment motor 41.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the toner concentration sensor 33 is provided to detect the toner amount in the developing devices 7a to 7d that store the two-component developer has been described. However, the developing device that stores the one-component developer. When toner is used, a toner amount sensor (toner sensor) for detecting the toner amount in the developing device may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the toner amount in the developing devices 7a to 7d is detected to detect whether the toner amount in the toner containers 20a to 20d is equal to or less than a predetermined amount has been described. Toner containers 20a to 20d may be provided with toner sensors that directly detect the amount of toner in 20a to 20d.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the second gear train 25 is configured by two gears (the first gear 23 and the second gear 24) has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second gear train 25 may be configured by one gear (first gear 25), and the first gear 25 may be provided with an engagement lever (first engagement portion). Further, the second gear train 25 may be constituted by three or more gears.

  In the above-described embodiment, the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 30 is detected, the toner is supplied to the developing device 7a, and it is detected that the toner amount in the developing device 7a exceeds the threshold value, and then the toner container 20a is opened. Although an example of locking is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the toner container 20a may be locked when the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 30 is detected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Device main body 7a-7d Developing device 20a-20d Toner container (toner container)
22 Replenishing screw 22a Rotating shaft 23 First gear 24 Second gear 24a Engaging lever (first engaging portion)
25 Second gear train (gear train)
33 Toner density sensor (toner sensor)
44 engagement member (second engagement portion)
45 Position detection sensor 90 Control unit 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims (6)

The device body;
A developing device provided in the apparatus main body;
A toner storage container detachably attached to the apparatus main body for storing toner to be replenished to the developing device;
A toner sensor for detecting that the amount of toner in the toner container has become a predetermined amount or less;
A control unit that restricts or allows the toner container to be attached or detached according to the detection result of the toner sensor;
With
A replenishing screw that conveys the toner by forward rotation and replenishes the toner to the developing device and replenishes the toner to the developing device, and a first engagement that is coupled to a rotation shaft of the replenishing screw via a gear train. Are provided, and
The apparatus main body is provided with a second engagement portion that restricts attachment / detachment of the toner container by engaging with the first engagement portion.
The gear train includes a one-way gear that transmits a rotational force to the first engagement portion only when the replenishment screw rotates in reverse.
The controller releases the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion by reversely rotating the replenishing screw when the toner amount in the toner storage container becomes a predetermined amount or less. An image forming apparatus. The first engagement portion is selectively arranged at an engagement position that engages with the second engagement portion and a non-engagement position that does not engage with the second engagement portion,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position detection sensor that detects whether the first engagement portion is disposed at the engagement position or the non-engagement position. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the position detection sensor is provided in the second engagement portion.   The gear train includes a first gear that is the one-way gear connected to the replenishing screw, and a second gear that is provided with the first engagement portion and is disposed on a side surface of the toner container. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The toner sensor detects the amount of toner in the developing device,
5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether the amount of toner in the toner container is equal to or less than a predetermined amount based on a detection result of the toner sensor. The image forming apparatus described.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of each of the developing device and the toner container.

Images